Is It Worth It? A Grounded Theory Analysis of Navigating the Decision to Come Out as Bisexual

Abstract

Abstract Although bisexual individuals are estimated to make up the largest percentage of sexual minority individuals, they tend to be the least visible and accepted members of LGBTQ + communities. Negative attitudes and stereotypes about bisexual people can contribute to identity uncertainty and experiences of stigma and discrimination, which impact the disclosure of bisexual identity. This qualitative study sought to explore the factors that influence the decision to come out for bisexual individuals. Six participants (three cisgender women and three cisgender men) were interviewed. A grounded theory analysis was conducted. Themes culminated with a core category, revealing that the decision to come out as bisexual is based on the experiences of navigating contextual and psychological factors and weighing a desire to be authentic against perceived consequences of disclosure. Implications for those who identify as bisexual, for mental health clinicians working with bisexual clients, and for the general public are discussed. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2021.2004482.